Cash register



Sept. 10, 1935. F. E. MILLER 2,014,358

CASH REGISTER Filed April 13, 1927 e Sheets-Sheet 1 47 TORA/Ey p 1935. F. E. MILLER 2,014,358

CASH REGISTER Filed April 13, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 %V[ N TOR.

F. E. MILLER cAsH REGISTER 7 Sept. 10, 1935.

Filed April 13, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 TTUR/VEY Sept. 10, 1935. F. E. MILLER CASH REGISTER Filed April 15, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l. figgvrwz wa s? ATTORNEY Sept; 10,1935. F. E. MILLER 2,014,358

CASH REGISTER Filed April 15, 1927 e Sheets-Sheet 5 5% E/Y TOR A TTQRNEY Sept. 10, 1935. F. E. MILLER 2,014,358"

CASH REGISTER Filed April 5, 192'? 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES CASH REGISTER Frederick Edward Miller, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to John Q. Sherman, Dayton, Ohio Application April 13, 1927, Serial No. 183,605

. 1d Claims. (Cl-235 15) My invention relates to cash registers of the key operating type and more particularly to the differential mechanism for operating the counters to different extent in accordance with the key cr keys operated and for automatically limiting the operation to a predetermined degree.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operationof cash registers, whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction but will be more efficient in use, positive in operation, uniform in action,. possess increased accuracy and reliability and unlikely to get out of repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cash register mechanism havingv a minimum number of operating parts and in which duplicate parts, or those differingfrom each other but slightly, are used to a considerable extent, thereby minimizing cost of construction and facilitating manufacturing operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple but efflcient means for actuatingthe counter mechanism by the operation of a key and by the same movement automatically setting a stop for limiting the counter actuating movement.

To this end the mechanism includes an :scillatory actuator frame having operative engagement with the counter mechanism and tilted by a key lever having thereon an actuating cam surface of such shape and extent as to determine the degree of oscillatory movement of the actuator frame. Such'key lever further has thereon a cam surface engaged by such oscillatory actuatorframe at the limit of its predetermined movement, thereby preventing overthrow and confining the movement of the actuator frame under the influence of each key lever to different predetermined range of movement in accordance with the key operated.

One of the objects of the invention is, therefore, to provide such improved form of operat-f ing key lever, serving not only to actuate, but also to limit the counter operating mechanism and to provide means for automatically returning the actuated mechanism preparatory to each succeeding operation.

'A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for counter wheels and transfer mechanism therefor, operated directly by the key lever.

A further object of the invention is to avoid, so far as possible, the use of many small parts by increasing the size of operative parts and the actuating leverage employed, thereby increasing the permissible tolerance variations and to operate the part as direetlyas possible from the prime mover or key lever with view to eliminating lost motion. 5

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their-l equivalents. as hereinafter dcscribedand set forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily, the only form of embodiment of the invention, Fig. .1 is a top plan view ofthe assembled machine forming the subject matter here'- of. Fig. 2 is a top plan sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. .3 with the super-structure, comprising the'counter wheels and associated mechanism, removed, and also the indicators and supporting frame omitted. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3--3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 3A is a detail view of the transfer restoring means. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 3. viewed toward the rear. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views in planes 55 and 6-6 of Fig. 4 respectively showing the counter wheel actuating means and transfer mechanism. Fig. 5A is a detail view of the counter-pawl. Fig. 5B is a detail view of a modification of the return means for the actuator segment. Fig. '7 is a similar view in the plane ll of Fig. 4 illustrating the overthrow prevention means. Fig. 8 is a side elevation illustrating the common locking means for the operating keys, the return to zero mechanism, the counter flash, and the customer and operation counters. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the relation of the oscillatory actuator frame to the initial or first key of the series in normal and operated positions respectively. Figs. 11 and 12 are similar views illustrating therelation. of the actuator frame to'the ninth or final key of the series in both normal and operated positions respectively. I Fig. 13 illustrates a modification of the key cams. Fig. 14 shows a modification of the overthrow preventer.

Like'parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

In the drawings, l| indicates the end plates of the supporting frame which are interconnected one with the other and serve as a support for a series of longitudinally disposed parallel shafts upon which the operating mechanism is mounted.

' Upon the shaft 3 is mounted a series of key levers Lil 4. These key levers are arranged in banks or groups of nine keys each, comprising the units or cents bank, including the penny keys from 1 to 9, the tens or dimes group, containing the keys increasing from ten cents to ninety by mul tiples of ten and a third group representing dollars. The operating parts pertaining to each group or bank of keys is substantially the same, so that a description of one structure will, for the most part, suffice for all, except as may be hereafter noted.

- Actuating means from, longitudinally disposed parallel rods 1 and 8. Fixedly attached to one end of the oscillatory actuator frame 6 is a gear segment 9, intermeshing with an oscillatory gear pinion or sector ll], mounted upon a longitudinally disposed shaft H near the top of the machine, which shaft carries the several counter wheels. The degree of oscillation of the actuator frame G-and with it the actuator gear segment 9 determines the addition made upon the counter wheels carried by the shaft I I. The movement of the oscillatory actuator frame 6 is both effected and limited by any one of the several keys of the bank or series to which such frame pertains. Each key of the bank or series, however, will oscillate the actuator frame 6 to a different extent and will in turn limit such oscillation when the prescribed movement has been completed.

To this end each of the key levers I is provided with a cam surface l2, engaging with the rod 1 of the actuator frame as the forward end of the key is depressed. The key lever I, being pivoted upon the shaft 3 and the oscillatory frame 6 being pivoted eccentric thereto upon the shaft 5 will move through differential paths of operation. As the key lever is depressed, the cam surface I! is elevated upwardly and forwardly about theshaft 3 and toward the shaft 5. At the same time the rod 1 restingupon the cam surface I2 is carried upwardly with the key lever in a path eccentric with the shaft 3. Because of this differential path of movement, the engaged rod I of the actuator frame will have a travel rearwardly as well as upwardly upon the cam surface l2.

The degree of oscillation transmitted to the rocking frame 6 is determined by, the length or extent of the cam surface I! which differs upon different keys of the group or bank. As shown more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5 this cam sur face I2 of the initial or number I key of the bank is comparatively short. After a quite limited osv cillatory movement of the actuator frame 8 the rod 1 will have traveled beyond the end of the cam surface l2 and thereafter the key is free to complete its oscillatory movement independent of the rocking frame 6. To the contrary, as showniin Figs. 6 and 7, the cam surface l2 upon the final or number 9 key of the bank or series is more extended and the rocking, frame 6 will have completed a very much greater degree of keys, thereby limiting the movement.

icy-nut movement before its rod "l riding upon the cam surface i .li will reach the end of the such cam our-- face and pass therebeyond onto the concentric portion iii, allowing the key to complete its movement independent of such frame. In Figs. 9 and iii the rocking frame is shown in its normal or home position with the frame rod l engaging the cam surface I? preparatory to operation. In Figs, 10 and 12 these keys I and 9 have been shown operated with the rocking frame oscillated to such position that the frame rod 1 has passed beyond the extremity of the cam surface if and therefore is no longer affected. by the operation of the key. The intermediate keys, 2 to B inclusive, have cam surfaces if of different lengths proportionate to the position of such key in the group. Thus each key will operate the rocking frame 6 to a progressively different extent in direct proportion to the value of the key operated.

Stop motion means In addition to the cam surface l2, each of the key levers 4 is provided with a stop surface i3 concentric with the shaft 3, but so positioned when the key is in its normal or home position as to be out of registry with the rocking frame rod 8. The relation of the stop surface l3 to the rocking frame rod 8 when the parts are in their normal position is such that upon oscillation-of the frame 5 the rod 8 will pass beyond the stop surface l3 without engagement therewith. Such relation is clearly shown in Fig. 9. However, upon the initial movement of the key lever 4 necessary to rock the frame 6 the stop surface l3 will move into the path of the rod 8 and serve to limit the oscillatory movement of the actuator frame under the influence of the key, which is transmitted thereto through the cam surface l2 and the rod 1. The radius of the stop surface I3 is so proportioned with relation to the extent of the cam surface I? that at the moment the rod 1 of the rocking frame passes beyond the cam surface I! and hence theactuating influence of the key lever ceases, the rod 8 of the rocking frame will contact with the stop surface l3 of the actuated The stop surface 13, being concentric with the center of,

oscillation of the key lever 4 on the shaft 3, permits an additional idle movement of the key lever subsequent to the arrest of the rocking frame 6 while maintaining an arresting contact between the stop surface l3 and the rod 8. The radii of the stop surfaces 43 of different key levers differ in accordance with the relative value'of the key,

to permit different range of movement of the rocking frame 6.

Thus upon the operation of any key of the series the oscillating frame 6 will be rocked through a degree of movement proportionate to the value of the operated key by the engagement of the cam surface 12 with the oscillating I frame rod 1, and at the limit of such predetermined degree of oscillation, the rocking frame 5 will be arrested and further movement positively prevented by the engagement of the frame rod 8 with the stop surface 13 of the operated key. The oscillatory frame 6 and its actuating segment 9 are thus arrested after a predetermined degree of movement by engagement with a por-' tion of the same key member by which such rocking motion was effected. The key lever itself is not arrested, but may continue its full stroke movement independent of further adjuttment of the oscillatory frame 8 and ivithout changing the adjustment thereof. The concentric stop surfaces l3 of different keys of the series are of different radii or different extent, thus serving to limit the oscillation of the frame 6 to different degrees .of movement proportionate to the value of the key operated. In this rocking movement the contact rod 8 of the "oscillatory frame 6 will have passed over and beyond the stop surfaces or extensions l3 of the unoperated keys, which as before mentioned, are normally positioned out of the path of such rod 8, and moved into such path only at the initial operation of the key.

Key coupler and full stroke means Rearwardly beyond the rocking frame 6 there is disposed transversely of the machine an oscillatory key coupler bar l4 pivoted at IS in the side frames of the machine. This key coupler bar is common to all of the keys of the several banks or series and is elevated about its pivotal connection by the operation of any key of any series or bank. Beyond the key coupler bar it and in close proximity thereto each key lever is provided with an enlargement having therein a notch or recess I6 within whichthe key coupler bar it engages as the key is operated and the bar raised. Due to the eccentricity of the pivotal connection of the key coupler bar and the pivotal shaft 3 of the key lever the key coupler bar Hi is withdrawn from the notch or re- .cess it so long as the keys are in their normal or retracted position. ,Upon the operation or" any one of the key levers and consequent elevation of the key couplerbar 34 the differential movement of such parts will project the margin of the key coupler bar into the recesses it of such keys as may have been operated in unison.

These keys are thereby interconnected for further operation together. Connected to an arm projecting from oneend of the key coupler bar it is a reversible detent pawl it having engagement with an arcuate ratchet plate I9 upon the frame of the machine to insurea full stroke movement of the key coupler bar, and with it the operated keys. The detent pawl It is sufiiciently long that it will trail idly over the teeth or Indicator 'means This key coupler bar also performs the further function of releasing the indicators or targets. At the rear of the machine are mounted a plurality of vertically movable indicator targets, one for each key lever. are provided with dependent stems engaged by the rear end of the corresponding key levers to elevate the indicator targets whenever the key is operated. A detent bar 2! common to all of the indicators extends across the machine and is pivotally connected with the side frame at 2|.

Detent shoulders or spurs 22 on the stems of the indicator targets 20 engage such detent bar 24 when the indicators have been elevated to position for observation by the operation of a key. Pivoted at 23 upon the side frame I is a bell crank 23, one arm of which has operative -tory detent bar 2|.

These indicators engagement with a stud 2|" upon the oscilla- The oscillation of the bell crank lever 23 serves to deflect the indicator detent bar 2i about its pivotal connection 2! against the tension 01 its retracting spring 21 and withdraw it from beneath the shoulders or spurs 22 of the operated indicator targets, thereby permitting such indicators to fall to their depressed or normal positions. The other arm of the bell crank lever 23 is provided with a lip or flange 24 which extends in inclined transverse relation across the path of travel of a stud 25 carried upon an arm 26 secured to and moving with the key coupler bar l4. As the key coupler bar l4 rises at the operation of any key of the machine the stud 25 engages the rear inclined face of the flange or lip 24 of the bell crank lever 23 and oscillates the lever to with- 1 inclined face of the flange or lip 24 thereby pushing the bell crank lever 23 idly out of its path. The indicator detent bar 2i and the actuating bell crank lever are retracted by contractile springs 2i and 293.

Actuator return means Associated with each group or bank of value 0 keys is an additional lever 29 also pivoted upon the shaft 3 and formed at its rear end into a hook-shaped extension having therein a recess 30, similar to the recess it of the value keys, within which the margin of the key coupler bar M is engaged. Whereas the key coupler bar M is normally disconnected from the value keys and engages in the notch or, recess I6 thereof only whena key is operated, such key coupler bar is at all times engaged in the notch or recess3fl of the lever 29. Thus the lever 29 is oscillated about thepivotal shaft 3 in unison with the operation of any key of the corresponding bank or ser es. The lever 29 performs two functions. It is provided with a finger 3! which operates to return the oscillatory frame 6 after each opera tion. This finger 3i overhangs the oscillating frame rod 'l'. Inasmuch as the arm 29 and finger 3i move in unison with operated keys and consequently in unison with the oscillation of 5 the frame 6, the finger 3i does not interfere with such movement of the oscillating frame. Upon the return movement of the operated key and with it the key coupler bar M with which is con-v contact withand push the gear segment!) dur--.

ing the return movement of the parts to insure return oscillation of the rocking frame 6 by which the gear segment 9 is carried.

/ Counter mechanism Mounted upon the shaft l l is a series of counter wheels comprising one for each bank or series of keys, to wit, a cents or units wheel, pertaining to the first or right hand bank of keys, a dimes or 7 5 33m and the hundreds of cents or dollars-wheel 33b, and the corresponding. transfer mechanism are identicaLin construction and operatlon' so that'a"d'scrlption of one will suffice for all.

proportionate degree of rotation.

,0 to 9, inclusive.

The counter wheels 33, 33a and 33b are loosely mounted for rotation upon the shaft ll. wheels are of sufilciently large diameter to carry upon their periphery multiple sets of numerals In the present instance the wheels are provided with three successive sets of numerals. Secured to one side of each counter wheel and operating therewith is a transfer trip cam 35 which serves to set the transfer mech anism to add 1 to the next succeeding wheel of the next higher denomination whenever a count of ten has been accumulated. That is to say, inasmuch as the counter wheel in the present case carries three successive sets of numerals 0 to 9 it must operate the transfer mechanism three times during each complete rotation. Therefore, the cam 25 for setting the transfer mechanism is triangular in form, having three operative points, one for each set of numerals.

At its opposite side each of the counter wheels 33 carries a ratchet wheel 36. also fixedly secured to the counter wheel. Loosely journalled upon the shaft ll, adjacent to the ratchet wheel 36 is the oscillatory gear sector ll], heretofore referred to as intermeshing with the actuator segment 9 upon the rocking frame 6. Fixedly connected with the gear sector H] for unison operation under the influence of the actuator segment 9 is a pawl arm 31, carrying a pivoted ratchet pawl 36, spring pressed into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 carried by the counter wheels.

The pawl is provided with a tail portion carrying a lateral stud 39 which engages with an overthrow prevcnter to lock the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel. During the depression of any key of the corresponding bank, the actua tor frame 6 and with it the actuator segment 9 are rocked upwardly and forwardly. This movement of the actuator segment oscillates the gear sector In and with it the pawl arm 31 in a reverse direction. The pawl 38 carried by the arm 31, engaged with the ratchet wheel 36 through a The wheel is held in its advanced position against return movement by a spring actuated detent 34, engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36. During return movement of the key lever and rocking frame, the gear sector in and with it the pawl arm 31 will be operated in reverse direction. This return movement, however, is idle and the ratchet pawl 38 rides idly over the ratchet wheel 36 back to the normal or starting position preparatory to' the next operation.

Counter locating means Mounted upon the main shaft 3 closely adjacent to the return, lever 25 is a detent and locating arm 40 which normally moves in unison with the return lever 29 to which it is connected by an intermediate yielding connection whereby the re turn lever 29 is capable of further movement in- Thedependent of such dctent and locating arm. The detent and locating arm ii] is provided with fin ger M. An expansion spring ift is interposed tween the finger M of the arm til and the arm 32 of the return lever. The expansion of the spring 42 tends to retract the arm. it in relation with the return lever 29 and arm 32 thereof which re-- turn movement is limited Toy the engagement of a shoulder upon the arm tit with a stud 43 carried by the"=-arm'32 of the lever fill. The expansion of the spring 42 tends to hold the shoulder of the arm 40 in engagement with the stud 43. The arm 40 is carried in unison with the movement of the lever 29 and arm 32 until the beak 44 at the end of the arm 40 engages with a ratchet wheel 36 of the counter wheel 33. This engagement of the arm 40 with the ratchet wheel 36 occurs as the key lever andaccompanying parts approach the limits of their stroke. but before the stroke is completed. The angular beak M by its engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 serves to locate the counter wheel 33 by'camming cngagement within the angle of the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel 36. If the counter wheel is slightly out'of its proper position of adiustment at the moment of engagement of the arm 40 with the ratchet wheel 36 the camming action of the beak M upon the ratchet teeth will serve to readjust the counter wheel and bring it to the exact position. beak 44 of the arm 40 with the ratchet wheel will limit the advance movement of the wheel to prevent overthrowyparticularly of the keys representing the values of 8 or 9, wherein the movement of the counter actuating part is through an extended range and more or less momentum of the parts and counter wheel is obtained. As before mentioned the beak 44 of the arm 40 engages the ratchet 'wheel. before the actuating key, key

coupler bar and return lever 29 have completed their full stroke, but at a time when the counter wheel has been advanced ,to its full range of adjustment. The further movement of the return lever 29 and its arm 32 in unison with the final movement of the key lever is compensated for by the compression of the spring 42.

Transfer mechanism If during the addition effected by the mover ment of the sector l0 and pawl arm 31, the coun ter wheel 34 has passed the zero position, or in other; words, if the addition, together with the previous accumulation on the wheel has exceeded ten it is necessary that a transfer of one be made to the wheel of next higher denomination. This is the purpose or the trip cam 35.

Mounted upon the transverse shaft 45 is an oscillatory yoke 46. One end 41 of this yoke is extended rearwardly beside the counter wheel 33 and into the path of the trip cam 35. As the trip cam 35 is rotated in unison with the counter wheel, whenever an accumulation of tan is effected upon the counter, such trip cam engages the projecting end 41 of the yoke 46 and oscillates such yoke upon its supporting shaft 45. This yoke 46 extends from one counter wheel to the counter wheel of next higher denomination. The opposite end 48 of the yoke extends upwardly and supports in elevated position, a transfer pawl 49 pivotally connected at 50 upon an oscillating arm 5|, also pivoted upon the shaft 45 closely adjacent to the end of the yoke 46. The transfer pawl #9 is located in a plane common with the ratchet wheel 36 of the counter wheel of next Furthermore, the engagement of the higher denomination. It is normally held out of engagement with the teeth of such ratchet wheel 36 by engagement of the end 48 of the yoke with a shoulder 52 upon the pawl 49. Pawl 49 is sub- 5 jected to the tension of a spring 53, tending to draw the transfer pawl 49 downwardly and hence into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 whenever permitted to do so by the disengagement of the end 48 of the yoke from the l shox'flder 52. The oscillation of the yoke 46 by engagement of the trip cam 35 with the opposite end 4! of the yoke 46 effects this disengagement of the-end 48 from the shoulder 52 allowing the transfer pawl to engage with the ratchet Wheel 15 36. The transfer lever extends downwardly and forwardly, substantially coincident with he path of travel of the arm 32 of the return lever 29 before referred to. The transfer lever 5| carries a one way pawl 54 pivotally connected to 20 the lever 5| and projected by a spring 56into the path of a stud 55, carried by the return lever arm 32. The mounting of this trip pawl 541s such that it will yield against the tension of its spring 56 to permit the forward and downward passage of the arm 32 and stud 55 during the operative movement of the key lever 4 and with it the return lever 29 to effect the registration of a desired amount. However, upon the return movement of the arm 32 and its stud 55 the trip pawl 54 will resist movement about its pivotal connection with the arm 5|, necessitating the stud 55 in the return lever arm 32 traveling over the cam face of the trip pawl 54, thereby elevating the transfer lever. 5|. The lever 5| thus receives an oscillatory movement about its pivotal shaft 45 and thereby transmits to the transfer pawl 49 a thrust movement... This pawl, being in engagement with the ratchet wheel 33 due to the disengagement of the end of the yoke 48 from 4.0 the shoulder 52 by the previous action of the transfer trip cam 35, during such thrust movement, will advance the counter wheel of the higher denomination one step to add one thereto as result of the accumulation of ten upon the coun- 4,5 ter wheel of lower denomination.

The one way pawl 54. ispivoted at different points throughout the extent of the arms 5| pertaining to different banks of keys. The arm 5| of the cents bank has its pawl furthest removed .0 from the shaft ii, sothat after completion of a registration, upon return movement of the arms 32, the transfer will be made from the cents counter to the dimes counter before the transfer is effected from the dimes counter to the dollars b5 counter. In event the first transfer completes anaccumulation of ten on the next counter, the

operation of the second transfer mechanism,

which is timed for later operation carries the one completed by the first transfer into a still higher to counter. The lever 5| is provided with spaced holes 51 in either of which the pawl 49 may be mounted according to the bank of keys to which the lever 5| pertains.

In transferring from the units of dollars to tens no of dollars and ten to the hundreds and thousands of dollars wheels, a conventional method of gear transfer may be employed wherein a single tooth for each ten numerals appearing upon a counter wheel of this series will engage and actuate the gear pinion one step, which gear pinion is interconnected with the counter wheel of next higher denomination to advance such wheel also one step or add one thereto for each ten accumulated on the preceding counter wheel. Such gear transfer dev ce being old and well known in this art and forming no part per se of the present invention is not illustrated.

However, the same form of transfer mechanism heretofore described is preferably employed in connection with the tensof dollars, hundreds of 5 dollars and thousands of dollars counter wheels.

A single set of such transfer mechanism'parts common to the three dollars counter wheels is employed. The transfer pawl, however, corresponding to the pawl 49 of the preceding trans- 10 fer mechanism is of triple form, comprising three interconnected fingers 49' arranged in the planes of the ratchet wheels 590i the tens, hundreds and thousands of dollars counter wheels. These pawl fingers 49 are slightly offset in stepped relation one above the other. The tenth tooth of the ratchet wheels 59 of such dollar counter wheels is of increased depth. When in the course of rotation of such counter wheels such deep notch reaches the position to be engaged by the corresponding transfer pawl 49 the pawl pertaining to the first series of wheels falling into such deep notch allows the second of the pawl finger 49' to engage with the ratchet wheel of the second counter of this series. Whenever the deep notches of the ratchet wheels pertaining to the first two counter wheels of such series are aligned in position to receive the corresponding transfer pawl fingers 49' the first two of such triple fingers falling into the aligned deep notches permits the third finger of the triple pawl 49' to engage with the ratchet wheel of the next higher counter wheel. This particular detail feature of employing a triple finger transfer pawl falling into a I deep tooth or notch at the tens position of the ratchet wheel to enable the engagement of the succeeding finger of the triple pawl with the corresponding higher ratchet wheel is a well known expedient in the cash registerand counting machine art, and per se, forms no part of the present invention. However, the mechanism for setting and actuating such triple finger pawl is of new and novel construction.

overthrow preventer In the operation of a counting mechanism, and especially cash registers, the momentum gained by operating parts, particularly the rotation of the counter wheels, has a tendency to cause the counter mechanism to overthrow. That is to say, the mechanism by quick or violent operation may be made to add more than the value of the operated key. Such overthrow or miscounting of the mechanism is sometimes intentionally effected by striking the value keys a sudden blow to effect a violent, forceful operation. To eiTectually prevent such overthrow or misoperation of the counter mechanism, whether accidental or intentional, an improved form of overthrow preventer has been embodied in the mechanism. It is for this purpose that the lateral stud 39 is provided in the tail portion of the actuating pawl 38. A segmental plate 69 having radial sliding engagement with the counter wheel shaft pro- 1' jects beneath the lateral stud 39 of the actuating pawl 38. When in its elevated position the arm:-

ate margin of the sector plate 60 is'concentric with the counter wheel shaft II and parallel with the arcuate path of the actuating pawl stud 39. During the operating movement of the pawl 38 "0 this stud 39 rides upon the arcuate margin of the sector plate 60. 'The plate 60 thus serves as a stop to prevent the oscillation of the actuating pawl 38 out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 and serves to lock the actuating turn of the actuating mechanism, including the pawl 36 which rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 during such retrograde movement, the sector shaped locking plate 66 is retracted inwardly toward the shaft Ii. This retraction of the stop plate 60 out of the path of the pawl stud 3!! permits the pawl to vibrate as it passes over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36 in its return to its normal position.

To adjust the sector shaped stop plate 60 into operative position preparatory to the action of the counter wheels and to retract the plate to permit the return movement of the actuating pawl there is mounted upon the shaft 5' which also carries the oscillating frame 6, an L shaped lever 6i. One arm of this L shaped lever 6| extends rearwardly parallel with and intermediate succeeding value keys and beneath the key coupler bar I4. Atits rear end this laterally pro- Jecting arm of the L shaped lever 6i is provided with a head having therein a notch or recess 63 quite similar to the notch or recess 30 of the return lever 29 and the notch or recess ii of the value keys. The key coupler bar I4 is permanently engaged in such notch or recess 63 similar to its engagement with the recess 30 of the return lever 29. The result is that the lever Si is oscillated about the shaft 5'at each operation of the key coupler bar by any key of the machine.

The upwardly extending. arm of the lever 6| is provided at its extremity with a laterally projecting flange orilip 64. This flange or lip 64 forms a temporary stop for a stud 65 carried by a rock arm 66 pivoted upon the transfer mechanism shaft 45. The engagement of the flange or lip 64 on the upwardly extending arm of the lever 6i first above and then below the stud 65 as such lever moves to and fro serves to temporarily hold the pivoted arm 66 in an elevated position and then in depressed position. The arcuate stop-plate within which the slot 61 of which the counter wheel shaft ll engages, is provided with a dependent leg 68 pivotally connected to the rock arm 66. The oscillation of the rock arm 66 serves to reciprocate the sector shaped plate 60 into and out of operative relation with the lateral stud 39 of the actuating pawl 38. The rocking movement of the L shaped lever 6| under influence of the key coupler bar I3 not only effects the locking engagement and subsequent release of the rock arm 66, but also serves to actuate the rock arm 66 to reverse position when released from engagement with the flange or lip 64. Carried by the L shaped lever 6| is an arcuate spring supporting finger 69. The rock arm 66 is provided with a bifurcated finger 10 which straddles the spring supporting finger 69 at a mid-length point. Two helical springs H and 12 are carried by the finger 69. One of these springs is arranged on each side of the bifurcated finger 10 of the rock arm 66. The springs H and 12 are provided with abutments upon such supporting finger 69 at their outer ends. At their ends these springs abut on the opposite sides of the bifurcated finger I0. Upon the primary or actuating movement of the L shaped lever 6| due to the elevation of the key coupler bar I4 by the operation of any value key of the machine, the movement of the upper end of such L shaped lever carries the stop flange or lip 64 beneath the lateral stud of the rock arm 66. The depression of the rock arm 66 is thereby prevented. Such arm and with it the sector shaped rocking plate 66 are thus held in their uppermost position during the continued actuating movement of the parts and while the counter wheel is being advanced through the predetermined range by the pawl 38. During the continued movement of the lever, the spring H bearing against the bifurcated finger 10 of the rock arm 66 is compressed. The arm, however, is prevented from yielding under such compressive movement by engagement of the stud 65 with the top surface of the flange or lip 64, until such lip or flange 64 is moved forwardly beyond the stud 65 as the parts reach the limit of their movement. Thereupon the reaction of the compressed spring H oscillates the rock arm 66 downwardly, drawing with it the sector shaped locking plate 60 out of the path of the oscillatory motion of the stud 36 of the actuating pawl 36. 'Upon the initial return movement of the L shaped lever. 64 as the key coupler bar i4 descends uponrelease of a valueikey, the stop flange or lip 64 will pass above the stud 65 of the rock arm 66 thereby temporarily locking such arm in its depressedv position. During the continued retraction of the parts, the spring 12 is placed under compression against the unyielding resistance of the bifurcated finger 10 of the arm 66 until the several parts reach the limits of their return movement. At such point the stop flange or lip 64 again passes beyond the stud 66 and so releases the rock arm 66 Under the reaction of the compressed spring 12 this arm 66 is again oscillated upwardly, carrying with it the segmental locking plate 60. The plate to prevent the disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet wheel 36. It is to be understood that the actuating pawl 36 is capable of two distinct oscillatory movements. One of these is the actuating movement concentric with the counter wheel shaft i i and is effected by the pawl carryingarm 31 while the pawl is maintained in engag'ement with the ratchet wheel 36. The other movement is an oscillatory movement of the pawl 38, per so, about its pivotal connection withthe pawl carrying arm 31. This movement occurs as the pawl arm and pawl are retracted leaving the counter wheel and ratchet wheel 36 in their ad vanced position. It is this latter oscillating movef.

ment incident to the idle retraction of the pawl over the teeth of the stationary ratchet wheel 36 which is permitted by. the retraction of the sector shaped locking plate 60, by the depression of the rock arm 66. When the rock arm 66 is in T its elevated position, it'holds the sector plate 66 also elevated with its margin concentric with the shaft II and parallel with the path of travel of the lateral stud 39 of the pawl 38 during the actuating movement thereof. The oscillation of the pawl necessary to disengage it from the ratchet wheel 36 or to permit the teeth of the ratchet wheel to advance beneath the pawl and independent thereof is thus effectually prevented.

Return to zero means In order that the counter wheels may, from time to time, be reset to zero there is provided a yoke 14, the arms of which are pivoted upon counter wheel shaft Ii. The yoke extends transversely across the counter wheels. It is retracted after each oscillatory movement to a position above the counter wheels by a spring 15 coiled about the shaft H with one end of the spring engaging an arm of the yoke 14 60 is again thus positioned and the other end of the spring engaging with the transfer mechanism shaft The yoke 74 carries a transverse shaft 19 upon which are pivoted a plurality of spring retracted fingers H. vided in the plane of each transfer cam 95 pertaining to the several counter wheels. These fingers ii are so mounted and connected that they will yield in one direction to permit the passage of the point of the transfer earns during the normal operation of the machine. However, upon the rearward and downward oscillation of the yoke N such pivotally mounted fingers '25 will engage with the transfer cams 35 of the respective counter wheels and advance the counter wheels and transfer cams in unison with the oscillation of the yoke 74. By this action the numerals on the counter wheels are brought into alignment and thezeros presented at the observation points. To limit the oscillatory movement of the resetting yoke l4 in either direction and to effect the resetting of the transfer pawl to normal elevated or inoperative position at the resetting of the counter wheels there is provided adjacent to each counter wheel a multi-fingered plate 18. This plate has a downwardly and forwardly extending arm 19 bifurcated at its extremity and loosely embracing within such bifurcation the transfer mechanism shaft 45. The bifurcation of this arm is sulficiently wide to permit the plate 18 a limited deree of oscillatory movement upon the counter Wheel shaft H. Such oscillatory movement is limited in eiil or direction by the engagement of the fingers of the arm 79 with the shaft 45. This plate 18 is pr vided with a rearwardly extending arm 89 engaged by the yoke 14 or by the shaft 16- carried thereby as the yoke. approaches the limit of its resetting motion. The plate 18 being capable of a limited oscillatory movement defined by the width of the notch or recess in the bifurcated arm 19 embracing the shaft 45, is capable of a final short movement in unison with the yoke. Above the arm 19 the multi-fingered plate 18 carries a finger 8| which extends beneath a lateral stud B2, projecting from the transfer pawl 49. As has before been mentioned, the pawl 49 is normally held elevated by the end 48 of the yoke 46, and is permitted to drop into engagement with the ratchet wheel 36 by the disengagement of the terminal 48 of the yoke from the shoulder 52. In the event that the terminal 48 of the yoke has been withdrawn from the shoulderi! and the transfer pawl has been permitted to drop into engagement with the ratchet wheel 36 prior to the resetting operation, the finger 8! of the multi-fingcred plate 18 will engage the stud 82 and restore the transfer pawl 49 to its elevated position upon the oscillatory movement of the plate 18 as the yoke approaches the limit of its stroke. Upon the return movement of the resetting yoke under the influence of the spring 15, the yoke or the shaft 16 carried thereby, engages an upwardly extending finger83 upon the multifingered plate 18 which serves to limit the return movement of the yoke and to restore the plate 18, the return movement of.which is limited by the engagement of the bifurcated arm 19 over the shaft 45. The resetting yoke is actuated by a knob 95 connected therewith and extending beyond the frame and cabinet of the machine. There is preferably, though not necessarily, provided upon the resetting yoke 14 a full stroke device comprising a drag pawl 86 pivoted upon the yoke having engagement with a serrated detent plate or ratchet plate 81 secured to the frame of A finger ll" is pro-- operation of a key lock 91.

7 as the yoke is moved away from its normal or home position and operated to again release the machine for operation only by the return of the yoke 14 to its normal position.

Operation counters Two operation counters are provided, one of which pertains solely to the operation of the no sale key located 'at the right of the machine.

This key serves to operate a no sale indicator but does not eifect any registration or addition upon the counter wheels. This no sale key is provided with a dependent arm 88 connected by a link 89 with the rock arm 99 upon an operation counter 91. This counter 9| may be of any suitable character or construction, of which numerous types are now available upon the market. Each operation of the no sale key will effect an operation of the counter 9|. In addition to the counter 9! there is provided a second counter 92.

Upon this counter is added one for each operation of any value key of the machine. To operate the counter 92 there is provided a bell crank arm 93 pivoted upon the main shaft 3 and'having a dependent arm similar tothe arm 89 of the no sales key which is connected by a link 94 with a rock arm on the counter 92. The rearwardly extending arm of the bell crank lever 93 is provided with a notch or recess in which the key coupler bar 14 is permanently engaged so that the lever 93 is oscillated with each movement of the key coupler bar. Therefore, whenever the key coupler bar is oscillated by any manipulation of any value key, the lever 93 will be oscillated in unison to add i upon the customers counter 92.

Counter flash The figures upon the several counter wheels brought to reading positions register with observation openings in a cabinet not shown in the drawings. However, it is not desirable that the total registration accumulated upon the counter wheels shall be open to observation of unauthorized persons. There is therefore provided a flash bar 95 in the form of a U shaped yoke, the ends of which are pivoted to the main frame I. This flash bar 95 is oscillated to and fro into and out of registry with the reading position of the figures upon the counter wheels and consequently into and outof registry with the observation openings of the cabinet by a reciprocatory plate 96. This plate 96 is mounted on suitable guides'on the main frame and is adjusted to and fro by the By means of the lock 91 the adjusting plate 96 is held at either limit of its stroke. The plate 96 is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 98 having therein a slot 99 in which engages a stud I00 projecting from one arm of the oscillatory flash bar yoke. The construction is such that as the plate 96 is moved to and fro by the turning of the key in the lock 91 the flash bar yoke is moved in unison therewith. The arm 99 serves the further function of locking the set to zero yoke 14 in its normal or retracted position; The arm 98 is provided at its end with a hook like extension Hill within which engages a stud I03 on the side arm. of the set to zero yoke 14. Whenever the plate 96 is reciprocated rearwardly it not only raises the flash bar 95 to expose the reading characters of the counter wheels, but it also advances the hook I02 to release the stud I03 whereupon the yoke 14 may be oscillated to return the counter wheels to normal or zero position. In its retract"- ed position the reciprocatory plate 96 serves to lock the customer and operation counters SI and 92. Each of these counters is provided with a resetting wheel or disc I04 having therein periph eral notches into which the margin of the plate 96 is projected when in normal position. Thus the key lock 9'! simultaneously controls the opening and closing of the counter wheel flash, the operation of the set to zero device, and the re setting of the operation and customer counter. It also serves to control a lock for the keys, where by the keys may not be operated during the time the set to zero mechanism is away from normal position. To this end the hub of the key coupler bar is provided with a shoulder I05 with which engages a locking pawl I05 secured to the side frame of the machine. Inasmuch as the key coupler bar is raised by the operation of any key of the entire series, it is obvious that so long as the detent pawl I06 is in engagement with the shoulder I05 of the key coupler bar no key can be depressed. Connected with the locking pawl I 06 is a pull rod I01, the upper end of which overhangs a lifting lug I08 projecting from the set to zero yoke 14. Whenever the yoke 14 is in its normal retracted position the lug I08 by its engagement with the laterally turned end of the link I01 holds the detent pawl I06 elevated out of engagement with the shoulder I05. However, the initial movement of the yoke 14 allows the detent I06 to fall into locking position.

I M odiflcations Whereas the cam surfaces I2 of the respective keys have been shown of different lengths, but of like angles, for actuating the rocking frames 6 differentially in accordance with the value of the key operated, in lieu of such construction the cam surface I2 of suchrespective keys may be made of equal length, but of different inclinations to effect the same result. Under the construction first descriwed the rocking frame is actuated through the initial movement of the keys to different extent and thereafter such keys have a further independent or idle movement of different extent or range. By the modified construction as shown in Fig. the period of oscillation or actuation of the rocking frame 6 will be uniform for each key and thereafter each key will perform its final movement through a range of equal extent.

The difference is that the rocking frame will be moved more orless rapidly to achieve a greater or less range of movement within a given range of movement of the actuating key.

In Fig. 14 there is shown a modification of the overthrow preventer wherein an oscillatory plate I is loosely journalled upon the counter wheel shaft II adjacent to each of the oscillatory pawl carrying arms 31. This plate I09 has in its periphery a series of V shaped cam notches I I0, with which engages a correspondingly shaped spring pressed detent lever II I. The shape of the notches I I0 and that of the lever I I I is such that the plate may be moved in either direction against the yielding resistance of the spring pressed lever airframes Hi. This lever, however, the movement of plat The actuating pawl fltl carrit i arm ill and engaging with t. tchet wheel 35 carries a laterally extending stu ilk which. engages in a cam slot lit in the plate M9. This slot extends circunilerentially and. is sufficiently long to permit a limited initial movement of the pawl arm Ill and pawl lttl independent of the plate. During such initial. movement the pin III 110 moves into the forward end of the slot i l3 and by the camrning action oi the slot is forced tightly in engagement with the ratchet wheel 35. During further movement of the pawl the plate I 09 moves idly with the pawl and pawl arm, but serves to hold the pawl in locked relation with the ratchet wheel. Upon retractive movement of the pawl and pawl arm the initial movement is independent of the plate I09, thus shifting the pin to the opposite end of the slot I I3 where it is free for idle movement as the pawl rides idly over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 36.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a construction of the character described, possessing the particular features of advantage, before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously, is susceptible of modiflcation in its form, proportions, and arrangement of parts, without departing from the principle inivolved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the "invention is described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details shown, put that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In an accounting mechanism, a counter wheel, a ratchet wheel connected thereto, an oscillatory pawl arm mounted concentric with the ratchet wheel and having operative engagement with the ratchet wheel, actuating locking means for the pawl arm, a snap-over detent for the pawl automatically moved into and out of engagement therewith at the opposite limit of its range of movement, spring actuating means therefor tensioned by the operation of the actuating means and means operated by the initial movement of the actuating means for temporarily locking the detent in engagement with the pawl throughout the operative stroke of the pawl arm in one direction and locking the detent out of engagement with the pawl during the reverse movement of the pawl arm, the pawl being automatically released at the limit of its operative 6 movement for idle return oscillation.

2. In an accounting mechanism a counter wheel. actuating means for advancing the wheel through predetermined degrees of rotation including a ratchet wheel and an oscillatory pawl engaging therewith, and a movable locking plate movable into and out of position concentric with the path of travel of said pawl and serving to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel snap-over means tensioned by the operation of the actuating means in alternate directions for automatically shifting the plate at the opposite limits'of the range of movement of the pawl into and out of operative relation therewith, and means for locking the plate in its shifted direction. oscillatory position during the movement of the parts in each direction.

3. In a counting mechanism, a traveling pawl having operative engagement with a ratchet wheel 8 to actuate a counter wheel and capable of movement transverse to its path of travel to permit independent relative travel of the pawl and ratchet wheel, and means for actuating the pawl to ad- Vance the ratchet and counter wheels and a mov- 10 able locking plate, the margin of which extends parallel with the path of travel of the pawl normally limiting the transverse movement of the pawl to maintain it in operative engagement with the ratchet wheel, and spring means for shift- 15 ing said plate with a snap-over action into and out of operative position at the opposite limits of the range of movement of the pawl.

4. In a counting mechanism having manipulative value keys determining the movement of the 20 counter mechanism, a travelingpawl having operative engagement with a ratchet wheel to actuate a counter wheel and capable of movement trans verse to its path of travel to permit independent relative travel of the pawl and ratchet wheel, and

. 25 means for actuating the pawl to advance the ratchet counter wheels and a movable locking plate, the margin of which extends parallel with the path of travel of the pawl normally limiting the transverse movement of the pawl to main- 30 tain it in operative engagement with the rachet wheel, spring actuating means for the plate tensioned to move the plate in one direction by the operative movement of a value key in one direction and tensioned to return the plate upon the re- 35 turn movement of the value key and detent means controlled by the movement of the key for detaining the locking plate until the spring tensioning operations are completed.

- 5. In a construction of the character described,-

40 a series of pivoted key levers, a counter wheel movable through different predetermined degrees of rotation by the operation of different key levers, a notched disc associated with the counter wheel, and a stop arm pivoted concentrically with the 45 key levers, actuating means therefor by which the arm is movable in unison with each of the. key levers of the series into-engagement with the notched disc to arrest and locate said counter wheels in their predetermined adjusted position so and a yielding connection between such stop arm and its actuating whereby the operative key lever is capable of a limited further movement subsequent to the arrest of said arm.

6. in a construction of the character described,

a series or pivoted key levers, a counter wheel movable through diiierent predetermined degrees of rotation by the operation of diiferent key levers,

a notched disc assoelatedwith the counter wheel,

and a stop member yieldingly actuated by and 60 movable with any operated key of the series into engagement with the notched disc to arrest and locate the counter wheel in its adjusted position the key being capable of further independent movement to effect the operation of a counter 65 wheel of higher denomination subsequent to the engagement of the stop member with the notched disc.

'7. In a construction of the character described,

a rotary counter wheel, a ratchet wheel associated 7 with the counter wheel, an actuating pawl associated with the ratchet wheel, actuating means therefor, pawl locking means for locking the pawl ,in engagement with the ratchet wheel during its operative stroke and spring means for transmitting to said pawl locking means a snap ac- 8. In a construction of the character described,

a rotary counter wheel, a ratchet wheel associated with the counter wheel, an actuating pawl operatively engaging the ratchet wheel and movable to advance the wheel, means for actuating the v pawl through diiierent predetermined degrees of oscillation, and a locking member mounted 0 for reciprocatory motion in a radial direction relative to the ratchet wheel for holding the pawl and ratchet wheel in interengagement to prevent independent movement of either in one direction, spring means for actuating the locking member first in one direction and then in the other, and detent means for restraining the spring means during the movement of the pawl in each direction, and for releasing such spring means to actuate the locking members in a snap movement preparatory to the movement of the pawl in reverse direction.

9. A safety device for a. cash register wherein a counter wheel and associated ratchet wheel are actuated through a range of movement determined by manipulation of one of a plurality of value keys, by a traveling pawl movable into and put of operative engagement with the ratchet wheel, characterized by a spring actuated movable locking plate for locking the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, reversible spring actuating means therefor, and locking means for alternately locking said plate in and out of operative position controlled by said keys.

10. An overthrow prevention device for a register mechanism wherein a rotary counter wheel and ratchet wheel associated therewith are actuated by a traveling pawl having operative engagement with the ratchet wheel to an extent determined by operation of one of a series of value keys which control the range of movement of the 40 pawl, characterized by a'movable locking plate for the pawl, reversible spring means for moving the plate into operative position prior to the actuating movement of the pawl and for retracting the plate out of operative position prior to the return movement of the pawl, and locking means holding the plate against movement during the movement of the pawl in each direction and re leasing said plate only at the end of such movement. 5

ll. An overthrow prevention device for a register mechanism wherein a rotary counter wheel and ratchet wheel associated therewith are ac tuated by a traveling pawl having operative engagernent with the ratchet wheel to an extent de termined by operation oi one of a series of value keys which control the range of movemment of the pawl, characterized by a movable locking plate for the pawl, an oscillatory arm with which said plate is connected, spring means for actuating the arm first in one direction and then in the other, means for placing the actuating spring under tension in either direction, and stop means for holding the arm in its adjusted position against the tension of the spring actuating means until the pawl approaches the limit of its range of movement in each direction.

12. An overthrow prevention device for a register mechanism wherein a counter wheel is movable through different degrees of oscillation by 7 actuating means controlled by the operation of one of a series of value keys, characterized by overthrow prevention means controlled by the operation of any key of the series, means for automatically moving the overthrow prevention means into operative position at the completion oi the retractive movement of the key and for automatically retracting the same at the completion of the operative movement of the key to permit independent return or the counter actuating means.

13. An overthrow prevention device for a register "mechanism wherein a counter wheel is actuated through diflerent degrees of movement in accordance with the value of an operated key of a series 01' such keys which are common to a member movable with any key of the series, characterized by a spring actuated overthrow prevention means set for operation by the movement of said common member in either direction, and detent means therefor holding said overthrow prevention means in its adjusted position during the movement of the key and adapted to release ing'upon the arm to oscillate it first in one direction and'then in the other. means for tensioning said means only as the keyreaches the limit of its range or movement in each direction.

14. An overthrow prevention device for a register mechanism wherein a counter wheel is ac tuated through diii'erent degrees of movement in accordance with the value 0! an operated key of a series of such keys controlling such counter wheel, characterized by overthrow prevention means including an oscillatory arm, opposing springs actsaid springs alternately, and means for holding the arm against movement during the tensioning operation and releasing said arm at the completion thereof to move the overthrow prevention 15 means into and out of operative position. 1

FREDERICK EDWARD MILLER. 

